Amanda Palmer Challenges Conceptions of Street Performance & Profits in the Modern Age

I often find myself puzzled over contemporary communities’ resistance to busking. In my humble opinion, street performance is one of the most surefire ways to harmlessly (and cheaply) enrich a local culture, and the authoritative hostility towards such art is a particularly disturbing form of oppression against human expression on supposedly public land. I think a lot of it boils down to the fact that street performance is not deemed worthy of true artistry, but anyone who has ever attempted it can attest otherwise.

In a recent TED Talk, Amanda Palmer challenges audiences to reconsider the value that can be found in street performance, as she recalls her years as a living statue. In a groundbreaking lecture, Palmer recasts a new, enlightened context for understanding entertainment (both street and otherwise) in the modern, digital age. For anyone struggling to survive as an artist today, I highly suggest checking out this inspiring talk: